University dean resigns over school's Chick-fil-A ban

A Rider University dean told the school to get clucked, resigning after the school banned Chick-fil-A from campus.

Cynthia Newman, dean of the College of Business Administration, informed staff in February that she was stepping down from her post — but will continue as a professor — because she feels the university’s statements regarding the fast-food chain clashed with her values as a Christian.

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Chick-fil-A and some of its executives have a documented history of opposing same-sex marriage.

In a November survey, Chick-fil-A was not among the options of restaurants that might come to the Rider campus.

At the time, the school explained, “Chick-fil-A was removed as one of the options based on the company’s record widely perceived to be in opposition to the LGBTQ+ community.”

The school added that Chick-fil-A’s values “have not sufficiently progressed enough to align with those of Rider.”

“I felt like I had been punched in the stomach when I read that statement because I’m a very committed Christian,” Newman told the conservative higher education blog Campus Reform. “Chick-fil-A’s corporate purpose statement is to glorify God, to be faithful stewards of all that’s entrusted to them and have a positive influence on everyone who comes into contact with them. And I would say that mirrors my personal beliefs perfectly."

The private nonsectarian school was quick to address any fears that it was discriminating against Christians by not having Chick-fil-A open on campus.

“While we respect Dr. Newman’s personal decision, we maintain that the decision about choosing an on-campus restaurant franchise was in no way a judgment on religious values,” Kristine Brown, the university’s associate vice president of marketing and communications, said Tuesday morning.

“Rather, our intention was to foster a sense of respect and belonging of all members of the campus community, including those who identify as LGBTQ+.

In an open letter posted to Facebook, senior musical theater major Charley Furey said the school made the decision in order to make LGBTQ students feel more included with the campus community.

“Rider’s decision to not move forward with the restaurant was not an attack against your faith, as you like to frame it, but rather a move to show the LGBTQ+ community on its campus that they are loved, a move which I would argue very much aligns with the Christian values I was raised with," said Furey, who identified himself as a Catholic and part of the LGBTQ community.

Chick-Fil-A, which is closed on Sundays and has donated to anti-same-sex marriage organizations in the past, said in a statement that it had no political leanings as a corporation.